Circus or Zoo Animals Wicker Purse. 1960s. Maker: Magid. White-painted wicker box bag with an incredible circus animal design, featuring detailed felt three-dimensional animals: monkey, tiger, elephant and lion, behind a “cage” made of golden trim. Gold leatherette handle and twist-lock closure. There’s an additional label inside that says “De Pinna,” which, I recently learned, was a high-end clothing store founded in the 1800s. It changed hands a few times and closed in 1969.

This purse is my most recent acquisition and one of my favorite finds ever. It’s not in perfect condition, but just look at that remarkable detail on those animals! It’s truly a work of art.

Wicker Golf Motif Bag. 1960s. Maker: An Original By Midas of Miami, Handicrafts Inc., Miami, FLA 33147. Wonderful picnic basket-style purse made of white-painted wicker and enhanced with a motif of two golfing gals. They have blonde hair piled high, pink criss-cross fabric blouses, and tight ‘60s fabric pants. One is swinging a painted golf club and the other holds a golf ball. There are also flags and foliage, representing a girlie golf course. It’s got white faux leather straps, a green satin lining and interior zipper pocket.

I love Midas of Miami bags. I have quite a few, but this one is really special. And I don’t even golf!

Hey! If you're in Ventura County, California this Saturday, November 5, come see me at the Ventura County Book & Author Fair. I'll be in booth 35, signing copies of my novel, I MURDERED THE PTA.

Large Yellow Tote Style Purse with Owl. 1960s. Maker: Faye Mell Design, Fleurette Inc., Miami, Florida. Fabulous large mustard yellow woven fabric tote style handbag with inner kiss-lock pocket and twist closure. What makes it special, besides the great size, is the slightly-raised needlepoint owl on a branch, embellished with beads and sequins. Owls were popular in the ‘60s and ‘70s and, as fashionistas know, the owl motif has made a comeback in clothes, jewelry and home décor items. 

Naturally, I have a story to go with this purse. I was carrying it recently as I walked into a chi-chi vintage clothing store near Los Angeles. An employee remarked that they, too, have an owl purse. I looked at it and said, “Oh, it’s a Jolles.” The woman asked what I meant. I said, “The maker. It’s Jolles.” The woman looked at the tag for verification and sure enough, I was right. I told my daughter about it when I got home. She asked about the price of the Jolles bag. After I told her, she said, “They were asking THAT much for the purse and they didn’t even know the maker?”

Yep, if it had been just a bit less money, I would have that owl purse, too, and not just because it's a Jolles, but because it was awesome!

Woven Tote with Three-Dimensional Tree and Applique Butterflies. 1960s. Maker: JR, Specially Hand Made by Frances. Blue woven fabric tote by famous maker JR (Julius Resnick). Screwed-on plastic handles and inside zip pocket. It’s got a beautiful velvet hot pink and green floral tree and pink appliqued butterflies, with faux pearls, pink rhinestones and green velvet and gold trim.

This is my latest JR Florida acquisition. What’s interesting about it is the label inside; one of those “Specially Hand Made by” labels from the ‘60s with the name Frances. I don’t know if Frances worked for the JR company or she purchased a plain bag—which you can find online—and added the embellishments herself. Either way, it’s a lovely purse and I’ve never seen another like it.

Woven Totes with Three-Dimensional Flowers. 1960s. Maker: JR Florida, USA. Fraternal twins from famous maker JR (Julius Resnick) Florida, both are woven, burlap-type fabric bags. Both are tote-style with kiss-lock inner pockets large enough to hold a wallet. And both, delightfully, have 3-D velveteen flowers and leaves, and a whimsical faux gem bug fluttering above.

While the JR company created numerous styles of purses, this style of bag is one you’ll find a lot of, with varying designs on the front, including some with needlework. Regular followers of this blog know I have a weird passion for 3-D stuff, so my favorites are the purses with embellishments like these.

HEY! If you're in the Los Angeles area this Sunday, October 2, come see me at the West Hollywood Book Fair. I'll be in booth C6 with other Zumaya Publications' authors and signing copies of my novel I MURDERED THE PTA.

Wicker Purse with Strawberries. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. White-painted wicker picnic-style basket bag adorned with faux strawberries and leaves. Lined with gold felt. Simple elastic band closure.

When I found this purse, I thought it was a little pricey, considering its condition. The wicker is a bit shabby and the strawberries have seen better days—probably somewhere around the year of my birth—but I LOVE FRUIT PURSES. I don’t know why I love them so much. Perhaps because they’re campy and fabulous. I love camp. And fabulousness. I have a vintage glass fruit necklace and fruit basket earrings, too. Of course. Who doesn’t?

Bonus: You all know how much I love Midas of Miami purses. I wrote an article in 2009 about mid-century vintage handbags for Antiques & Collecting magazine. The cover featured a shot I took of my wicker Midas elephant purse, one of the biggest treasures in my collection.

Last night I found a link to someone selling a Midas purse. Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the description. The seller is including a copy of my article! I wonder if I should offer to autograph it for her...

Speaking of which, if you're going to be in the Los Angeles area October 2, visit the Zumaya authors' booth at the West Hollywood Book Fair. I'll be signing copies of my novel I MURDERED THE PTA. Stop by, say hi and show me your vintage purse!

Kooky Gambling Themed Purse. 1960s. Maker: Unknown. Drum-shaped bucket purse made with a combination of materials that include an exterior consisting of a primitive-style jute—or something similar that looks a hairy tree and feels like stiff plastic—beige woven fabric and brown trim stitching. It’s got a braided handle and loop closure and button-like accents. But the really terrific and extremely odd part is all the miniature stuff that’s glued to it: playing cards, faux coins, billiard balls, bowling pins, dice, a plastic clothespin, a plastic slot machine, gold-tone pistols in holsters, two packs of cigarettes and a gold-tone cigarette lighter.

I’ve seen a number of gambling-themed purses and I have a few (or more) in my collection, but this one is by far the weirdest. I’m considering taking it with me next time I play poker so I can use it as a distraction!